When Are Cucumbers In Season?

Cooking dinner shouldn't be complicated

You can find cucumbers at most grocery stores all year-round. Peak season, though, is May through August. This is when you’re most likely to find them at farmers’ markets.

How Long Do Cucumbers Last?

Whole cucumbers will stay good for about one week when properly stored. Cut cucumbers, meanwhile, will last just a few days in the fridge.

It’s best to hold off on cutting until right before you’re ready to cook or serve. (Pro-tip: Want evenly sliced cucumbers every time in a fraction of the time it takes to cut them by hand? You really do need a mandoline. Reviewers say this one, which is on sale at Wayfair, is incredibly easy to use).

How to Store Whole Cucumbers

When you get home from the store, immediately place them in a zip-top bag. Sticking cucumbers in the fridge sans protection is better than room temp, but they’ll quickly turn wrinkly and change textures without an airtight container.

Our favorite cucumber storage tip, though, comes from Melanie Mendelson at MelanieCooks.com. According to Mendelson, cucumbers keep best in the fridge when they’re individually wrapped in paper towels before going into the zip-top bag. The towels absorb excess moisture (cucumbers have a super high water content), which keeps the bag from getting prematurely slimy and speeding along the rotting process.

So, to be completely clear, here’s the best way to store whole cucumbers in the fridge:

How to Freeze Cucumbers

You can freeze cucumbers a few different ways. Here are two of the easiest methods:

Freeze them in ice cube trays: Cut cucumbers into cubes. Place 2-3 cubes into each well of an ice cube tray, then fill each well with water. Let the tray sit in the freezer until the water is frozen. Transfer the cucumber ice cubes to a zip-top freezer bag labeled with the date. Freeze up to six months.

Freeze them on a cookie sheet: Cut cucumber into spears. Place spears on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Let the tray sit in the freezer until cucumbers are completely frozen. Transfer frozen spears to a zip-top freezer bag labeled with the date. Freeze up to six months.